Here are some great often overlooked "indie" albums from the early 90s into the early 2000s that should be in everyone's collection. All of these are available with a Zune Pass:
Built To Spill "Perfect From Now On" (listen from start to finish as each song builds and flows into the next. as good as OK Computer in my book)
Treepeople "Guilt Regret Embarassment" (this album is incredible. pre-Built To Spill. this was 1989?! "Something Vicious for Tomorrow" shouldn't be overlooked either )
Elliott Smith "XO" (everyone should have everything he's produced, but this is a great starting point because Either/Or isn't available with Pass. there will never be another like him)
Heatmiser "Mic City Sons" and "Cop and Speeder" (more Elliott Smith. really good albums with some amazing moments and a sign of what was to come)
Guided By Voices "Alien Lanes" (hard to pick a starting point with these guys, but I've always remained partial to this one because it sounds like nothing like it at the time and nothing since. great, short, sloppy pop)
Quicksand "Manic Compression" (maybe my "loudest" recommendation; too good to be forgotten. this has 90s written all over it)
Archers of Loaf "vs. the Greatest of All Time" (loved it the first time I heard it. when I think of 90s "indie" rock, I think of this album. I think everyone should have all their stuff, but what do I know?)
Sebadoh (you should have all of it! but for beginners, start with "Bakesale" and move forward. another example of classic 90s indie rock)
Pavement "Crooked Rain" (but only because you have to start somewhere. the reissues are great. yet another staple of 90s indie rock)
Oblivians "Popular Favorites" (maybe their most accessible album, and one that I still listen to all the time. awesome garage rock that sounds timeless.)
Mudhoney "Superfuzz Bigmuff" (the deluxe 2008 version is awesome. these guys defined 90s attitude and grunge. their first three albums are always in my rotation.)
Sonic Youth "Dirty" (everyone's heard of Sonic Youth by now, but they have such a massive catalog and so many different sounds that if you haven't been along for the ride, it's easy to dismiss them or miss out on their finest moments. the reissues of "Goo," "Dirty," and "Daydream Nation" should be heard by all. "Dirty," while not my favorite SY album has some amazing songwriting. from 1987 to 1994 they could do no wrong. )
Neutral Milk Hotel (only two albums and both are equally impressive. still sounds like these could have come out yesterday. at the time they came out, sounded very unique)
New Bomb Turks "The Night Before The Day..." (to me, this was their finest moment. a great garage rock album with loads of attitude.)
The Recoys "Rekoys" (more attitude from the remnants of Johnathan Fire Eater (missing from Pass!) and the soon-to-become the Walkmen. somehow this came out and no one noticed. a shame. great vocals and songwriting.)
The Revelators "We Told You Not To Cross Us..." (this needs to be in your collection. what rock n roll should be. this is their only album, so pay no attention to the other so-called "Revelators" albums that are listed with this one. go get this now!)
